Public officers who own or operate bars have been directed to close them or resign.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday said conflict of interest is the major impediment in the enforcement of policies on the eradication of illicit liquor and narcotic drugs.

“All public officers in the security, law, and order enforcement agencies who own bars or are in the alcohol business, directly or indirectly, must close them immediately or quit their jobs,” the security minister said during a forum in Kapsabet, Nandi County.

He echoed a March 13 memo by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to regional commissioners, county commissioners, heads of department and all internal security and national administration staff regarding the directive.

PS Omollo said the government’s directive affects all public officers in the enforcement and compliance chain such as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), Public Health, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), National Government Administrative officers (NGAO) and National Police Service (NPS).

“Cross-referencing by the Public Service Commission and other agencies will be done to confirm compliance,” the PS said in the memo.

The government has in recent weeks intensified its crackdown on illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse in the country.

It released new regulations to tame drugs and illicit alcohol abuse early this month and declared the menace a national security threat.